According to a report Friday morning from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Alabama Crimson Tide co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler has been informed that he will not return for the 2025 season.
In what was his lone season at Alabama, Hitschler previously served in the two roles mentioned previously, coaching defensive backs alongside fellow co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist.
While the co-defensive coordinator, Hitschler did not handle any of the play-calling duties for the Crimson Tide defense, as those were done by current defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.
Prior to Alabama, Hitschler was not one of the assistant coaches to follow head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, as he was previously in a similar role with the Wisconsin Badgers during the 2023 season. In Madison, Hitschler served as both the co-defensive coordinator, as well as safeties coach, in 2023.
Prior to Wisconsin, Hitschler had previously seen time as an assistant coach at places such as Cincinnati and South Alabama, among others.
Sources: Alabama co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler has been informed he will not return to the Crimson Tide next year. He has a year remaining on his initial two-year contract.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 3, 2025